Community Corner

Under the Hood: It's All About Nostalgia For This 1955 Bel Air Owner

"There's just something about it," this classic car owner said.

With one hand on the side panel of his teal and cream-colored Chevy Bel Air, Terry Schutz, recalled when his love of cars began.

"When I was a kid, we used to name them when we saw them driving down the road," said the 67-year-old Flossmoor resident while his car was parked—hood open—on Oak Park Avenue in Park. "There's just something about an old car."

Schutz bought his sweet Bel Air from a former co-worker who inherited it from his father.

"He was just a teenager so he wanted something newer," Schutz said. "When you have a car like this, you're always making changes. It keeps it interesting."

Schutz travels around to events like to tout his ride. He sets up a sandwich board featuring snapshots of the changes he's made to it over the years and for nostalgia, balances an aluminum tray and a few fake root beers on its driver's side window.

He places miniature models of similar Bel Airs all around the car—he sets one on top of the engine and adds one to the tray. And of course, dangles teal and white fuzzy dice from his rear-view mirror.

"This is what makes it fun," he said.

Make and Model: A two-door Chevrolet Bel Air (hard top)

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Year: 1955

Odometer: 98,000 miles (about 500 of those are on the engine)

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Engine: Fast Burn 385 Horsepower

Interior: A combination of teal vinyl and beige corduroy.

Year Purchased: 1985

Bought from: A former co-worker who lived in Mokena

Owner occupation: Now retired but was a machine repairman for Ford Motor Company. "And now, I drive a Chevy," Schutz said, with a laugh.

Tags: 7394

General fun facts: Hydraulic roller cam, aluminum heads, 4-speed Muncie aluminium transmission and ZZ4 block and rotating parts.

What makes it all worth it?: "I just love old cars."


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